Bird Talk Dear Bird Talk, We winter every year in California for five months – from Nov 1 to March 31. This coming fall, we plan to spend three weeks in Hawaii prior to leaving for California. When we fly home from Hawaii, we plan to spend two weeks at home before heading to California. My question is, do I have to count the two weeks at home as time spent in the U.S.? Craig Benson Lake Errock, BC Ed.: It is best to err on the side of caution and to include the two weeks in your allotment of U.S. days. Since there are fewer than 30 days between your two separate trips to the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer processing your admission may count your time as continuous and not give you credit for the two weeks you spent back home in Canada. Dear Bird Talk, Florida has implemented a tax system which hugely penalizes those members of their communities who are not homesteaders. I’m not against the homesteaders getting a break, but the difference now is massive and getting much worse by the year! Our neighbour pays 1/3 of our tax as a homesteader with the same exact house! The tax which they pay is the same today as in 2015!! Is this fair taxation?? This is a crisis for the Florida tax system in the long run. Is there a property tax advocacy group in Florida?? Can the CSA put together a group of concerned snowbirds? Stuart Lazier Toronto, ON Ed.: The homestead exemption differential has been a touchy point for Canadian and U.S. snowbirds for quite some time. Many U.S. snowbirds change their state of residency to Florida just to get the Homestead Exemption on their property taxes. Obviously, as Canadians we do not have that option. But it should demonstrate our enhanced value as property owners to our southern neighbours. Dear Bird Talk, Regardless of your political views, the proposed tariffs on Canadian goods are driving down the Canadian dollar and turning friends and family off, regarding visiting Florida. Many snowbirds are seriously considering other winter locations. We need CSA to help its members effectively reach out to Governor DeSantis, senators and members of Congress. Sharing their contact information, along with key points, could help us give them the incentive to fight to save the $6B which Canadians bring to Florida each year. Shirley-Ann George Kanata, ON Ed.: The Canadian snowbird is the most valuable tourism commodity in the United States. We invest in their real estate, we support their local economies, we stay for extended periods and attract additional tourism by inviting our friends and family to join us while we are there, and we don’t cause any trouble or break any laws. The CSA is very active in sharing this message with the members of the U.S. Congress and Senate to ensure that we are top of mind in any decisions that may otherwise hinder our enjoyment of the sunny south. Dear Bird Talk, I have been reading that, as of May 7, all travellers in the U.S. will have to carry something called a REAL ID compliant card. For the benefit of myself and all of your members, can you publish something that explains what this card is and how do we go about obtaining one? David Currie Claremont, ON Ed.: The REAL ID card is not for Canadians. It is a federally recognized form of identification with enhanced security features for full-time American residents that can be used for domestic air travel and other purposes. As a Canadian, your “real ID” is your passport. Dear Bird Talk, My husband and I are anticipating finally becoming snowbirds this fall. We want to go to Florida, shop around and buy in a 55+ community. I’ve heard that these communities want background checks. I’ve always been a pre-planner. What I want to know is whether we get the background checks here, and how long do they stay valid. Wondering when we go about getting them, or do they have to come from the U.S.? Sorry, this might seem a silly question to some. We have a lot to learn. I just don’t want to go down empty-handed in the fall and find out that we can’t buy property because we don’t have this check, if needed. Diane Erb London, ON Ed.: It’s not a big deal and it is nothing to be alarmed about. Typically, the homeowners’ association will give you an application form to complete that will ask you to confirm that you do not have any criminal convictions, have not declared bankruptcy and have the means to pay your monthly community fees. They will ask you for your driver’s licence number and social insurance number and will require your consent for them to conduct a background check on you and your spouse. There will be a nominal fee, usually around $100.00, that you will have to pay for the search to be conducted. It’s a good thing! This way, you know that you’re moving into a decent neighbourhood and your new neighbours will know that you’re a good egg, too. 6 | www.snowbirds.org
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